Grant Allocations & Awards: FY2015

Purpose: The purpose of this competitive grant program is to support the planning and implementation of additional time for learning for students in grades K-12. Supported with federal funds, these opportunities will help to close proficiency gaps, increase student engagement, and support college and career readiness and success. Funded activities will take place during a longer school day (referred to as Expanded Learning Time or ELT) or during out-of-school time (OST), and include:

Using more time to provide additional opportunities for engaging teaching and learning of the core subject areas, through both traditional classroom instruction and integrated academic enrichment.

Using more time to provide additional opportunities for creative and innovative enrichment to support students in all developmental areas (academic, social/emotional, civic engagement, wellness, etc.).

Using more time to provide additional opportunities for adults (including school staff, program providers, and partners) to participate in collaborative planning and professional development that supports desired student outcomes.

Propose to serve youth in schools/communities with higher percentages of families with low income, as indicated at the Department's School and District profiles pages (http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/).

Propose to implement more time in a school or in partnership with a school designated as Level 3, 4, or 5 under Massachusetts' District and School Accountability and Assistance System.

Propose targeted strategies to support early literacy efforts leading to reading proficiency by grade 3 and/or successful transition into and through grade 9.

Serve districts that have not received 21st CCLC funding within at least the past three years (FY12-FY14).

Funding priority was also given to applicants proposing ELT that:

Propose a year-round school model or at least a substantial amount of time for all students during the summer.

Propose the use of blended learning strategies.

Propose to add time at a middle school.

Number of Proposals Received:

ELT: 2 (for 4 schools)OST: 35 (proposals/sites)

Number of Proposals Recommended:

ELT: 2 (for 3 schools)OST: 14

Number of Proposals Not Recommended:

ELT: 1 school not recommendedOST: 21

Result of Funding: This funding will support 15 districts/agencies to implement ELT and/or OST programs and activities at 17 schools/sites. This programming will provide students with additional engaging core content instruction, project-based and or service-learning experiences, and opportunities for academic enrichment. In addition, funds will support training, planning and professional development for adults to make better use time with students and maximize student outcomes. These programs will also engage with various community partners to support students' learning, and social/emotional and physical development. Approximately 3,000 students will benefit from programs and services supported through this funding. Grant awards range from $104,696 to $577,584.